BUAV welcomes parliamentary debate on animal experiments

05/02/2013

The BUAV has welcomed a debate on Government policy on animal experimentation to take place today in Parliament. The 90 minute debate has been secured by Conservative MP Henry Smith, and will take place in Westminster Hall at 14:30.

The debate will give MPs an opportunity to raise any concerns or issues relating to the animal experiments. There will also be contributions from the Labour front bench spokesperson before a representative from the Government will reply.

In November 2012, the BUAV held a Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons. The event which was hosted by former Home Secretary Rt. Hon David Blunkett MP called on the Coalition Government to honour the pledges it made in the Programme for Government in 2010. It pledged to end animal testing for household products and work to reduce the number of animals being used in experiments. Latest figures from the Home office show that 3.7 million animals were used in 2011, the highest figure for 26 years and although a ban on testing for household products has been introduced, it is not clear how effective it will be.

BUAV Chief Executive Michelle Thew said: “These are issues which the public care deeply about and it is only right that MPs have the chance to raise concerns and hold the Government to account. We hope that the Government will listen to the concerns of MPs and will take firm action to ensure that pledges on animal experiments do not continue to go unfulfilled.”